Russian journalist barred from entering Ukraine for 5 years

KIEV, March 19. /TASS/. Ukraine Security Service (SBU) has deported Russian journalist Leonid Muravyev and banned him from entering the country for five years, advisor to the Security Service head Markiyan Lubkovsky said on Thursday.

The information was first mentioned by member of Verkhovna Rada’s Committee on Information Policy Olga Chervakova on her Facebook page. "The information about journalist Muravyev’s deportation is true. [He was] brought to the border and banned entry for five years," Chervakova wrote.

Ukrainian media reported that Muravyev used to work at Russia’s Channel 5.

Earlier in March, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry announced its decision to suspend press accreditation for Russian media outlets covering events there. In February, Ukraine’s Security Service issued recommendations to strip more than 100 Russian media organizations of accreditation at the country’s bodies of state power.

In line with the new rules, more than 100 Russian journalists have already been deported from Ukraine, Lubkovsky said.